Concentrator.



, Patented Apr. 2, |90l. E'. G. NEIGHBOR.

UoNcENTRAToB.`

=Applcation fled Ang,` 18. 1899*) (Nn Model.)

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No. 67|,IIV6. Patented Apr. 2,` IQOI'.

E. G. NEIGHBOR.

FPDFICENTR'ATOR. (No Model.) (Application met? Aug. whwgg 3Sheets-Shet-.

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E. G. NEIGHBOR. CONCENTRATDR.

(Application led Aug. 1B, 1899.)

3 Sheets--Sheet 3.

l Nirn raras ELIHU G. NEIGHBOR, OF OGDEN, UTAH.

CONCENTRATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,116, dated April 2,1901.

Application filed August 18, 1899. Serial No. 727.722. (No model.)

-To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIHU G. NEIGHBQR, residing in Ogden, county ofWeber, State of Utah, have invented a new and useful Machine Called aOoncentrator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a concentrator adapted to separate theprecious metal from the earth and gravel in placer-mining.

In placer-mining many of the deposits carry more or less fine or flourgold, which inV the ordinary processes of mining oats off with thetailings, especially where a large amount of water is used. Also much ofthe flour-gold is lost where the water and tailings liow in the samedirection.

In my apparatus herein shown and described the tailings are carried offagainst an iniiowing current of water, and the liour-gold is washed outof the tailings and saved. This is the primary object of my invention.

Another object of my invention is to provide a perforated revolvingscreen-cylinder partially immersed in water, in which the materialisfirst washed. This cylinder has a contracted outlet in center of thedischarging end, so as to keep the material from being discharged toorapidly. This washing is more thoroughly accomplished by vholding thematerial within the cylinder, so that the 'attrition of the particles ofthe chargeA under re volving action of theA cylinder removes all of themetal, which is forcedthrough the meshes of the cylinder as fast as itis set free.

Another object of my invention is to-sepa-` rate out the metal from thefirst that is passed through the revolving cylinder. The Hourgold is noteasily separated from this iiner material. I therefore provide means forcarrying the tailings in some proper elevator against the inowingcurrent-of water, thereby effecting a great saving. l

The various mechanical features of my invention will be Vmore fully setforth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forminga part ofthis specification, in which- Figure l is a sideelevation ofmyimprovement with the sides of the water-tank removed from the frame.Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a screwconveyer. Fig. 4E is a sectional top plan of the primary elevator. Fig.5 is an end view of one of the buckets of the primary elevator. Fig. 6is a top plan view of the secondary elevator and vibrating separator.Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a shelf or conductor hung on the insideof the secondary elevator. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another screwcon veyer and its driving sprocket- Wheel. Fig. 9 shows a boot in whichthe primary elevator works. Fig. 10 is an end view of the hollowrevolving screen-cylinder. Fig. 1l is an end elevation of the larger endthereof. Fig. l2 is a perspective view of a spout fitting into the endof the cylinder shown in Fig. l1. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of thebuckets of the primary elevator. Fig. 14 is a perspective View of one ofthe buckets of the secondary elevator. Fig. l5 is a perspective view ofmy concentrator. Fig. 16 is a plan View ofthe shaking-screen. Fig. 17 isan illustrative sectional view of my improvement, showingthe manner ofsupplying water to the tank.

B B represent the framework of a watertight tank, Within which theseparator is Worked.

B represents the shell of the water-tank attached to the framework B.The frame is mounted upon carrying-wheels R.

` C represents a perforated revolving screencylinder. Thisscreen-cylinder is revolved by power, as will later be explained.

A represents a hopper for feeding material into `the front end of thecylinder O. It will be observed that the lower section of the cylinder Cdepends below the top of the frame B of the water-tank, which is lilledwith water, so that the said cylinder is partially immersed in Water andsubjected to the action of washing when it revolves, which washes outthe sand, dirt, and metal, carrying the same through the screen of thecylinder. V

C' represents anenlarged portion of the screen-cylinder, which is in theform of an annulus, within the periphery of which an- ,nulus is fixed aseries of radial partitionplates, dividing the same into compartments.As the cylinder is revolved the stones and gravel are dumped into thisann ulus, and the plates, acting as buckets, carry the stone and gravelup high enough to dump them onto spout f', which is suspended above theshaft of the cylinder.

IOO

In the drawings the washings are shown deposited on a carrier E, whichis shown as al1 endless belt; but this may be omitted, if desired, notmaterially affecting the operation of my concentrator, but I prefer toembody the same therein.

F represents a vibrating sieve, the floor of which is perforatedsheetsteel, preferably with perforations of about three thirty-secondsof an inch. This sieve is hung upon.

rods p, attached to the top of the frame, and is actuated byeccentric-rods P, which work against coil-springs m in the usual mannerof operating shaking-screens. v.

Q represents a spout or bottom attached to the underside of theshaking-sieve for conducting the finer material to the center of themachine, the end terminating over the screw conveyer I.

g represents an apron hung under the end of the sieve for guiding thematerial into the elevator-conveyer and to prevent the metal from beingthrown into the elevator.

In separating the finer metal from its associations in placer-mining thecoarser materials, such as boulders and stone and coarse gravel, arethoroughly washed, so that their surfaces are cleaned of dirt and sandwhich bear the metal. This material is thoroughly cleaned of theadhering dirt and metal by the revolving motion and the attrition of thescreen-cylinder. In order to carry off the tailings from the cylinder, Ipreferably employ a primary elevator-conveyer D, which consists ofendless chains carrying buckets working over sprocket-pulleys R. Thesebuckets are preferably shaped asshown in Fig. 13. In order to preventthe buckets from carrying out water, the lower end of the elevatorisimmersed or set in a boot d, as shown in Fig. 9. The coarse gravel,stone, and boulders are dumped. from the screen directly into thebuckets of this elevator, from which they are discharged out of the way.The construction ofthis elevator is notimportant, as any means may beemployed to carry off the coarser tailings; but the elevator is useful,as it makes its own'dump.

G represents a secondary elevator, which consists of an endless belt,preferably formed of sprocket-chains, as shown, to which `are attached aseries of perforated bucket-S G', which are constructed as shown in Fig.14:. The tailings from they sieve or screen F are deposited into thiselevator, as shown in Fig. 1. This elevator works with the lower end inwater,.which, as the buckets travel up, gravitates down through theperforations, carrying with it the dirt, sand, and metal, if any adheresto the tailings. The entire `body of water used in the process ofwashing is applied or sprayed onto the upper end of this elevator,gravitating through the gravel and perforations, making a final washingand separation. The back of the bucket is A-shaped, the inner portionbeing perforated. This prevents the metal from passing into next bucket.

y (see Fig. 7) represents a shelf or spout hung between the chains ofthis elevator, so as to catch the washings andmetal and carry them backto deposit the same on wings of the screwconveyer I. Its lower end isbent into the form of an open cylinder y', in which revolves the screwconveyer I', whichis mounted on the shaftj, that carries lower end ofthe screen bucket elevator G, the buckets of which pass outside of saidcylindrical end y. This conveyer I catches the metal, dust, and dirtwashed out of the buckets of the elevator G and discharges them into thescrew conveyer I vertically underneath.

H represents an inclined iioor under the separator, which is preferablyV or trough shaped and lined with sheet metal, suchas galvanized iron,so that the metal substances will be readily washed into thev screwconveyer I. This conveyer has a pipe termination, to which is attached afaucet at J to regulate the flow of water discharged out of theconcentrator. Under this faucet are sus; pended burlaps, copper plates,(either or bot-h may be used,) or other means for conto prevent thewaste of the same when the Water is discharged. An overflow-Weir is madeat the top of the tank, and the water is conveyed from this Weir anddischarged upon a catching device under the faucet.

N represents a sprocketwheel, which is driven by any power device. Lrepresents a transmitting sprocket wheel keyed to the same shaft.

Z represents a sprocket-chain transmitting \power to the sprocket-WheelK, which is keyed upon the upper shaft ofthe secondary elevator G anddrives'the same. Said sprocketchain also passes over the sprocket vM,the shaft of which is provided with a bevel-gear s, meshing'with thebevel-gear s, which is mounted on the shaft s2, upon which is hung therevolving screen-cylinder.

vS represents a sprocket-wheel on the shaft K of the primary elevator D.This receives motion from a similarsprocket-wheel on shaft R2 of thesecondary elevator.

The screw conveyer I is operated by endless chain W,receiving powerfromsprocket- Awheel'T, placed'on the opposite side of the concentrator andon the shaft which carries the sprockets L N', operating sprocket I2 ofthe screw conveyer', and-thence around the sprocket O on theeccentricshaft O, as shown by dotted line W', Fig. l.

lThe conveyer E is'shown as driven by a cross-belt Y, taking its powerfrom the shaft t of pulley n. Any 'other suitable mechanism Vmay beemployed for driving conveyer E in the direction shown by the arrow, soas the vibrating screen F. As before stated, this conveyer is simply forthe purpose of depositing all the screenings from the cylinder C ontothe upper end of the vibrating screen that they may pass over the entiresurface of centrating or amalgamating the metal, so as IOO IIO

to dump the screenings on the upper end of v the screen, but it is notabsolutely essential to the operation of the separator.

In Fig. 15,1 represents thepump,of anyordinary construction; 2, thepitman for driving the same; 3, the supply-pipe, and 4t thedischarge-pipe, of the pump. The discharging end of the pipe is bentaround and suspended above the endless-carrier G. It supplies all thewater to the water-tank. The proper level is maintained in the tank `byregulating the discharge-valve .I according to the supply of water bythe pump. As shown in Fig. 15, the pump is at one side of the tank and anozzle is passed around to the rear end of the tank and inserted betweenthe two elevators, (see Fig. 17,) pointing towardthe front of the tank.Whilein this position, it first strikes the tailings on the lowerelevator and affords a constant stream of water in opposition to thematter undergoing separation in the revolving cylinder and the conveyer.i

I am aware that separators and various forms of screeners for gradualconcentration are not broadly new, andl only claim them as embodied insubstantially the combination set forth in my claims.` The problem ofproper concentration, however, is one in which slight differences inconstruction, in operation, and

' disposition of parts are oftentimes of the essential importance. Theremust be several successive screenings.' The operations should each be asefficient as is mechanically possible. vThey must be arrangedrelativelyin the shortest possible time, the smallest possible compass,and each step of the way must have its means for reclaiming any possibleportion of the precious metal carried into that step. It is only in thismanner that practically all the metal can be saved. Myscreening,shaking, and tailing operations are all compactly arranged in one tank,one instrumentality overhangs its succeeding one in such a way as toavoid practically all waste,

and all the operations are carried on in opposition to aconstantly-incoming current of water, the greatest impact being borne bythe lower off-carrier at the end of the operation, in which manner themost efficient and complete separation possible is eiected.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a separator thecombination of a tank, a longitudinally-disposed revoluble screen, meansfor charging one end, an endless carrier under the main body of saidscreen adapted to travel toward the receiving end of the cylinder, ashaking screen-table under said carrier inclined toward the dischargeend of said cylinder, an endless elevator-carrier for said screen andanother for said shakingtable, the lower ends of said carriers beingrespectively under the discharge ends of said screen and table, saidcarriers being rearwardly and upwardly inclined out of said tank, meansforoperating said parts in proper relative movements, a collector undersaid parts, and means for injecting a current of water into said tankfrom the discharge end toward and against the product being operatedupon by said screen, table and carrier, the greatest impact being borneby the tailings carried off by the carriers,substantially as specied.

In a separator the combination of a tank having a trougheshaped bottom,a screw conveyer in said trough, a revoluble screen partly immersed insaid tank, means for charging the end of said screen located at the endof said tank, an endless carrier under said screen traveling toward thereceiving end, a shaking screen-table under said carrier, inclinedtoward the rear of the tank, an endless elevator-carrier having itslower end under the shaking-table and upwardly and rearwardly inclinedout of said tank, means for operating said parts in time movements, andmeans for injectinga current of waterinto said tank from the rear endtoward and against the material operated upon by the screen, table andcarrier, the greatest impact being against the carrier, the fiow of thewater being in a direction the reverse to the direction in which thematerial is discharged, substantially as specified.

ELIHU G. NEIGHBOR.

` Witnesses A. M. HUNTER, S. L. IvEs.

